I must have been my mother’s despair! Herself a fashion guru, ahead of even the latest styles and modes, going to work in shocking striped hot pants, heading out to the dance floor with the wide-flared black and white skirts – she was, and still is, the epitome of style and elegance. A gifted seamstress along with all her abilities she had a daughter with whom to share all things clothes!
Seriously, I let the side down. With my head in a book anything like lifting knitting needles was just too much hard work. In school all my attempts during enforced needle work classes were abysmal unfinished failures. Why, oh why, I begged the teachers couldn’t I do woodwork, hammer away, use a wrench, I could only dream of the joy of handling a saw. It was not to be.
Weekends were a race to be dressed. In a hurry to go out and play adventure games in the fields and woods I would throw on anything to hand. The garish ill-matched combinations have me squirming in shame now. Luckily, my mother soon found a compromise to unsightly dressed me as on Friday evenings she left out my weekend play clothes. Next morning I would quickly pull them on; the short battle of contrition was over.
While my teenage friends spent hours, which felt like centuries, trawling C&A and BHS, I’d peel away and ensconce myself in a book shop or two. Perhaps even Woolworth’s records would pull me in and of course, I had no resistance to any stationery shops. Yet the glamorous displays of shoulder pad blouses and bright pink jumpsuits, did not tempt me at all. Not that I was totally immune to clothes by then.
As a child and huge fan of American TV I treasured my black and silver bomber jacket from the States, often wearing it inside. My pleading looks during one shop for trainers ensured I had the most beautiful white Nike pair with the softest of red trims. I’m sure I cried when they finally had to be given up after one too many holes appeared.
Before university one particular store visit is still vivid in my mind. In the colourful Benetton shop a blouse and jumper combination caught my eye, so pretty (I did wonder at this strange sensation to an item of clothing but went with it!). I longed for them but it was just too much. Wasn’t it? Thankfully my mother was equally smitten with the tops. Decades later the blouse still hangs in my wardrobe. The jumper worn thin, holes in the elbows, lasted twenty years. Value for money or what!
Over the years my attitude to clothes developed and became more refined, enjoying the style of modern fashion but at all times comfort is imperative. Even on business trips I would have a pair of practical boots to go with my suit as I headed around a sawmill!
My mother is still as chic and fashionable and were this ever to change I would worry indeed. For now, I am thankful for the occasional gift of one of her clothes, as well as borrowing some for special occasions (weddings etc) before returning them to her expansive wardrobe.
No longer the despair, my mother is happy to help with all things fashion to her eager student daughter — albeit many years later!
@Annika Perry, November 2024
Many thanks for the inspirational prompt by Esther Chilton to write about fashion. A gifted writer, copywriter and writer tutor, Esther shares about the craft of writing, books, inspiring prompts, author interviews, humour and so much more on her lovely blog here.
Annika Perry 
Hi Annika, I don’t want to miss reading any of your posts. I am happy to read about your Mother and learn more about her. You remind me how my 2 daughters and I are often not alike at all, and alike in some ways. I thought I was producing little clones. I quickly learned the truth.😀 You look absolutely adorable in the photo! Sort of “Happy Days” although that series was before your time. I am nodding my head up and down in agreement with “… comfort is imperative.” Thank you for putting a smile on my face, once again. 💕 Erica
Erica, it’s lovely to see your wonderful comment and bless you for never wanting to miss any! 😀❤️ You are so right in how mothers and daughters can be so different yet so alike in many ways – and I’m smiling at you and your two daughters. I’m so glad I found that photo – one of those I knew was somewhere but just had to go through the albums. The perfect excuse for a trip down memory lane! 😀 Oh, I loved Happy Days, saw them on repeats – I was hooked on American TV overall! Here’s to smiling, Erica! Wishing you a very Happy New Year, my dear friend! Hugs xx 💕
Hi again. I couldn’t comment on your last post on the book reviews for your two fabulous (and very different) books, so I’ll do it here. Tee hee. I found a way in. Your books are simple and complex, easy and not-so-easy, brilliant and illuminating. Just like you, my friend. I hope you get more sales from your post – your books are well-loved by those who have them! xo
Bless you, Pam for finding a workaround of my closed comments! Thank you so much for your wonderful thoughts about my books – your unwavering support and friendship is heartwarming and means so much to me! Xx ❤️ ps. Hope you got my email from the 8th?!
Yes! And I emailed you back today! Before I saw your comment here. 😚Communications across the ocean. Somehow or other it works! 💗🤩
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What a lovely write up of your relationship with fashion, featuring your wonderful mother. Beautifully written. I smiled reading it, for I think when many of us were children, there were things that we adamantly did and didn’t wear! Like you, I was a child who threw on anything to wear to go out to play. I was a bit of tomboy back then and that was reflected in my choice of clothing – pants over dresses. My mum really wanted me to dress up in dresses, but I was never keen.
I remember Benetton and its colours. Seemed like such a long time ago and how our attitude to fashion has changed. Fast fashion is so popular these days, and I guess one good thing about it is that there is more creativity surrounding what we wear. But I share your sentiments. There is nothing like a long lasting piece of clothing through the years. I still have a few t-shirts from my teenage years that are well-worn and still going good til this day. These days I am not very into fashion but if I find a piece of clothing that I like and it seems to last, I might get another one in a different colour. Sometimes finding the right look AND right fit is so difficult! Thanks for sharing and hope you are doing well, Annika. Best wishes for the season and year ahead 😊
Thank you so much for your wonderful comment, Mabel and lovely to meet a fellow tomboy! 😀😀 I must admit I never tried trousers over a dress but sounds the ideal solution – your mother got her wish of you wearing a dress and yet you were all dressed for outdoor adventures! The best of both worlds! 😀
You’re right about fast fashion but I feel there is a slow trend to buying less often and respecting the clothes instead. What a great idea to buy another colour or such when you find something that suits you perfectly – I’ll have to try this! Yeah! Great you still have some of your teenage tops, they hold so much emotional energy and memories,don’t they?!
Wishing you a wonderful festive time, Mabel and all the best for 2025. I look forward to chatting away across the continents via our posts in the new year. Xx
I love this. You sound like me, though your mom sounds nothing like my mom. She couldn’t match an outfit to save her life. My dad had to help her. She also has no artistic ability, and, now that I think of it, I wonder if the two are related. (My dad’s a great artist.)
The picture of you as a child with your two pets is adorable. That they were the best of friends… Amazing!
Betsy, you comment has me smiling at your poor mom – and I wonder if she is like me when getting ready for an evening out with the bed strewn with clothes?! Your father is sounds like he is both knowledge about fashion and a gifted artist!
My cat and guinea pig were indeed the best of friends and during the summer I’d rush indoors for something with the cat looking after my guinea pig – and once I came out and he was scaring away next-door’s cat! He got extra treats for that – and I learnt to be more careful!
I really can’t say about my mom and the bed strewn with clothes. That’s for sure me, though! 😛
So sweet about your cat scaring away the other cat! Amazing! I love those stories of unlikely animal friends.